There are many ways to select verses to memorize. The Navigators published a scripture memory course that included 60 verses to memorize. Lifeway in the survival kit included 13 passages of scripture to memorize. I have found it is best to memorize scriptures which mean something to you. Most everyone has heard of John 3:16 or Matthew 28:19-20. If you would memorize one verse a month for 10 years, you would have 120 verses in your quiver. Memorizing helps us to meditate on a verse which will, with the Holy Spirit’s help, reveal things, we never saw before. David said:
Psalm 119:9-11 (NASB)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.
With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
So while memorizing does not guarantee you will treasure the verse in your heart, it is the first step toward it. Not only is memorizing helpful to the person memorizing, it is also helpful to others. One thing that I have found is that every verse that I memorize is like an arrow in my quiver. When the right time comes, I can share it with someone to help in his/her situation. Here are 12 principles in selecting and memorizing verses:
1. Select a translation you read from and memorize in that translation.
2. Select a verse that means something to you personally.
3. Select a verse you have read in context so you do not use it in a wrong way.
4. Read the verse in other translations so you get a better understanding of the verse.
5. Memorize the verse out loud, Hearing you say it will aid the memory process.
6. Emphasize different words in the verse to aid you.
7. Say the verse reference before you say the verse and after. The repetition will aid you in remembering where the verse is located.
8. Write the verse down on paper. Strive to get it word perfect.
9. Some long verses you may want to memorize in sections.
10. Put the scripture on a card in a familiar place so you can review it (bathroom mirror, car dashboard, etc.).
11. Pray through the verse with God, thanking him for its meaning.
12. The most important principle of scripture memory is REVIEW, REVIEW, and REVIEW.
Dr. Mark Yoakum is the Director of Church Ministries for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and believes the Great Commission is serious about going and making disciples.
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